World Briefing / TAIWAN

China protests U.S. arms deal

Taiwan's president welcomed a U.S. decision to sell the island up to $6.5 billion in advanced weaponry, while China warned that the move would damage relations between Beijing and Washington.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei summoned U.S. diplomatic representatives to make a strong protest, according to a statement on the Foreign Ministry's website.

The White House announced the package, which includes Apache helicopters and Patriot III missiles, in a notification to Congress on Friday. The deal will proceed if no lawmaker voices any objection within 30 days.